Virtual Games' Bet Collectors Charged

NAGA CITY (14 April) -THIS TIME 20 other transient bet collectors for "Virtual games" operated by the Meridien Vista Gaming Corporation (MVGC) were charged for violation of the Anti-illegal Gambing Law, or RA 9287 before the provincial prosecutor's office here, after they were apprehended in another series of raids on illegally operated betting stations in the localities of Libmanan, San Jose, Sangay and Goa towns, all in Camarines Sur province.

The Camarines Sur Police Office identified the Meridien transient bet collectors as: Dennis De Mesa, 27, of Candelaria, Quezon; Ronald Mendoza, 32, Hacienda Paco, Negros Occidental; Mary Ann Garcia, 25, Don Carlos Village, Pasay City; and Michael Cabanez, 27, Laboc, Quenca, Batangas.

The transient collectors were apprehended at a Meridien betting station in barangay San Antonio, San Jose town; the police raiding team confiscated virtual games' paraphernalia and bets worth P 28,640.25 pesos.

In Labao, Libmanan town, another eight transient collectors of Meridien were also apprehended by members of the joint Camarines Sur Police Public Safety Management Company and the PPSMC 3rd platoon; "virtual games" electronics and other paraphernalia including bets worth P 7,259 in coins and peso bills were confiscated.

The apprehended collectors were identified as Ramon Guevarra, 39, of Alfonso Cavite; Michael Carreon, 26, San Pablo City, Laguna,; Michael Ansus, 28, Gumaca, Quezon; Oliver Harina, 21, Lusacan, Tiaong, Quezon; Aldrin Telar, 25, Lipa City, Batangas; Ronnie Alingasa, 23, Zamboanga, Del Norte; and Rico Zita, 46, Sto. Tomas, Batangas.

Reportedly, the bet collectors in Libmanan were already charged before the Provincial Prosecutor's Office.

Meanwhile in San Roque, Sangay town, the following transients were also apprehended and charged: Romy Cascante, 40, Sabay, Lipa City; Roi Bartolo, 40, Dalig, Binangonan, Rizal; Jason Mendoza, 25, Sta. Clara, Sto Tomas, Batangas; Siesan Robles, 24, Bagtic, Silay City, Negros Occidental; Jake Chavez, 22, Mais St., Tomana, Marikina City; and Allan Baduria, 30, San Antonio, Tigaon, Cam. Sur.

The raids also caught seven other local collectors of the Meridien in Panday, Goa, Cam. Sur.

The Meridien transient collectors told the police that lack of opportunity in their localities have prompted them to work as bet collectors for Meridien in other provinces.

Earlier, a provincial board resolution allowed the Meridien firm to operate "virtual gaming" in the province, but it had been revoked subsequently by the provincial board in another resolution that was approved by Camarines Sur Gov. L-Ray Villafuerte.

The later resolution had been basis of the series of police apprehensions. (SONNY SALES)